Aircraft Beverage Mixing Device with On-Demand Carbonation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage options in aircraft cabins are limited due to stowage space constraints and flight attendants' knowledge of drink mixing, restricting the variety of mixed beverages available to passengers, especially on shorter flights.
Innovation Solution
A mobile or stationary beverage mixing device equipped with a housing, dispensing head, capsule receiver, water supply tank, carbonation vessel, and controller that determines drink type and dispenses carbonated or non-carbonated water based on sensor data, allowing for the creation of complex cocktails by activating valves and pumps to mix pre-mixed compositions with carbon dioxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flight attendants manually mix beverages, then beverage service is provided, but the variety of mixed beverages is limited due to flight attendants' mixing knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage mixing device automatically determines the required mixer type and amount based on sensor data from the cup, eliminating the need for flight attendants to have mixing knowledge. The system self-regulates the mixing process by activating appropriate valves and pumps based on the detected beverage type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical mixing process with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, controllers, and automated dispensing mechanisms to determine and execute the appropriate mixing ratios and selections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more beverage options are provided, then passenger satisfaction increases, but stowage space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses individual capsules for different beverage components that can be stored in a compact arrangement, allowing a wide variety of beverage options to be available without requiring large stowage space for pre-mixed beverages or bulk ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage mixing device can accommodate multiple types of capsules and mixers, providing universal functionality for various beverage preparations from a single compact unit, thereby offering diverse beverage options without proportionally increasing stowage requirements.
3Productivity
If complex cocktails are made available, then revenue potential increases, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Beverage components are pre-prepared in capsule form with precise formulations, eliminating the need for complex real-time mixing calculations and procedures. The preliminary preparation of ingredients in standardized capsules simplifies the dispensing process while enabling complex cocktail formulations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the sale of more complex cocktails, providing enhanced passenger amenities and an additional revenue stream by allowing for the mixing of various beverages, including carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, without requiring extensive flight attendant knowledge.
Implementation Method 1
a carbonation vessel configured for on-demand carbonation
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage mixing device is disclosed herein. The beverage mixing device may comprise: a capsule receiver configured to receive a capsule including a pre-mixed composition, the capsule receiver including a first sensor; a carbonation vessel disposed within the housing, the carbonation vessel configured for on-demand carbonation; and a controller in electronic communication with the first sensor, the controller configured to: determine a drink type based on receiving sensor data from the first sensor, and dispense a carbonated water or a non-carbonated water based on the drink type.